The Phillies Zone

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Domonic Brown fractured a bone in his right hand on the first swing of the game Saturday and he will likely require surgery that could keep him out for three to six weeks.

Needless to say, his chances at making the team out of spring training have all but evaporated.

It means Ben Francisco is the probable opening day right fielder, although general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said no one has won the job yet.

"But Ben's done very, very well for us," Amaro said.

Poll

What is the biggest concern for the Phillies?

Chase Utley’s knee

Domonic Brown’s hand

Too much hype

Initial X-rays showed Brown fractured the hook of the hamate bone in his right hand, a fracture that typically requires surgery, Amaro said. Brown will go to Philadelphia for further examinations in the coming days.

"I'm sure he's disappointed," Amaro said. "I talked to him a couple of minutes ago and he didn't sound all that great. But it's part of the game."

Amaro said Brown could see hand specialist Randall Culp, who performed surgery on Chase Utley's right thumb.

It was a bittersweet moment for Brown because he finally ended the hitless streak he began the spring with. He singled up the middle against Pittsburgh lefthander Paul Maholm.

"He probably ended up getting a base hit with a broken bone in his hand," Amaro said.

In the next half inning, John Mayberry Jr. was in right field, not Brown. And then Brown emerged from the dugout with Phillies head athletic trainer Scott Sheridan. Brown jogged back to the clubhouse ahead of Sheridan, who followed.